First in a series of limited edition coloured 7" singles...

Pilote fans everywhere - take note!

The man Stuart Cullen is about to break radio silence after a four year sabbatical. 'By The River' marks Pilotes' return to the music fray, thoroughly refreshed and in a mellifluous mood. Following on from previous releases for Domino and Certificate 18, our hero has a new limited 7" on Kennington Recordings.

Evoking the jeu d'espirit of Spike Milligan and Ivor Cutler, this is a delicious bugle call of charismatic whimsy. It bumbles along on a billowing bass line which is neatly underpinned by mischievous beats and a viciously addictive nursery rhyme vocal riff.

The flipside, 'Coltrane', showcases trademark Pilote. Playful al dente rhythms soaked in a sauce of skittish and bittersweet refrains. This track is cherry picked from his forthcoming album 'Pop Will Make Us Free'.

There are some days when every face you look at is ugly, where every space you stare into is either barren or broken, where every tune you listen to sounds like an angry dog barking at a wasp. Pilotes' music represents the unencumbered harmonic antidote - it waves at the antique faces and will even make them laugh.

Let's face it; trying to induce a smile through melody can be like pouring vinegar on your cornflakes. But with the subtlety, flair and finesse of Pilote, it's more akin to pouring love through peoples letter boxes.

Play this record once - you'll play it again and again.